Howie Mandel admits he's not been told if he's back on America's Got Talent - as Cowell & Co prepare for a massive revamp of the TV hit

TV favourite Howie Mandel has admitted he does not know if he will be re-hired for America's Got Talent - despite the fact his co-star Howard Stern has already been signed up for a new series.

The 57-year-old Deal or No Deal star spoke out as executive producer Simon Cowell and NBC chiefs prepare for a massive revamp of the prime-time entertainment hit.

TV executives are already looking for a replacement for feisty Sharon Osbourne, who quit earlier this year, and on Wednesday, Howie said he had not been told if he was being re-hired, saying: 'I don't know.They haven’t told me yet.

Will Howie return: Howie Mandel, seen here at the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto racing awards in Las Vegas in November

Speaking to Celebuzz, he added: 'They do the same thing every year. In January, they call me and let me know. I would love to come back.'

MailOnline revealed that Cowell and NBC chiefs are looking at ways to refresh the series for season 8 after ratings dipped in September’s finale.

A source said Cowell was re-energised following he success of Britain's Got Talent this year, where two new judges were brought in.

The
show - which is the world’s biggest selling TV format - moved to New
York from Los Angeles especially to accommodate radio star Stern, 58,
who replaced Piers Morgan this year.

Stern - who had mooted he may not return - revealed his comeback last week.

The King of All Media, as he calls himself, said: 'I'm very, very excited, honestly, about going back to America's Got Talent.

'I'm very excited to be working again with Simon Cowell and NBC and all the various folks who work there.'

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Speaking on his Sirius radio show, Stern said he had no idea who would be replacing Sharon Osbourne, but promised, 'If I don't like the new judge, I'll hit the X (buzzer) on the judge while they're talking. I'll be like, 'Shut up, no one wants to hear from you. Believe me, if I was the only judge, I think the show would be terrific.'

as Paul Telegdy, head of alternative and late night programming at NBC Entertainment, said: 'Howard Stern’s towering presence and opinions on last season’s show as a new judge made a dramatic impact and added a sharper edge to the fascinating developments on stage.

She's off: Howie Mandel, seen on the AGT panel this year with Sharon Osbourne - who has quit the show - and Howard Stern

Old school: Howie Mandel with Sharon Osbourne and former co-star Piers Morgan, who was replaced by Howard Stern this year

'We know that Howard believes in
'America's Got Talent' - which remains America's top-rated summer
series - and that dedication comes across in a genuine way to our
viewers who share his passion about our amazing talent competition.'

Meanwhile, Mandel said while he loves the AGT job, he dislikes running down the aisle while being touched by the adoring audience.

The married father of three suffers from mysophobia, an irrational fear of germs, to the point that he does not shake hands with anyone, including enthusiastic contestants on Deal or No Deal, unless he is wearing latex gloves.

He also suffers from a host of maladies, which he chronicled in his book, Here’s the Deal: Don’t Touch Me, that include adult ADHD and OCD.

The way he combats his numerous fears and neuroses is through medication and a lot of therapy and he said: 'I’ve made a couple of therapists very rich over the years.'

TV hit: Howie Mandel, Sharon Osbourne and Howard Stern on the set of AGT in New Jersey in July

And as for those sprints down the aisle, he said: 'My therapist says that it’s good cognitive therapy for me.'

Auditions for AGT start in January, the judges will join production later in the year.

During the hiatus from AGT, Mandel is working on a new holiday game show,
NBC’s Take It All, which debuted on Monday after The Voice. He
describes it as The Price Is Right meets Deal or No Deal meets Jerry
Springer.

The limited run show, which amps up the concept of Secret Santa with
thousands of dollars of prizes climaxes with two contestants pitted
against each other. They can either split everything, lose everything or
have one person walk off with all the cash and prizes.